Pointer Vs. X-Rap

[S I G M A]

Is the Pointer worth the price of 2+ X-raps? I was thinking about picking one up and giving it a try. X-raps work for me, is the Pointer that much better?

[FishTank]

Personally, I have never done well with the X-raps.  I have bought several and have tried numerous presentations, ect.  I rank it at the top of my biggest dissapoints in lures.

On the other hand it is a total different story with the LC Pointer.  I have caught tons of fish with this lure.  It well worth the extra cash.

[djmax22]

You are going to find two camps on this forum. In early spring when the water temps are in the upper 30 and 40's I exclusively use a pointer. When the water warms I use both. If I had to choose one then it would be the LC Pointer 100SP.

[JR Howard]

Fish a lot of jerkbait fish on Amistad and would have to say that the XRAP has always done me a great job. Cant tell the difference in catches with guys in the same boat fishing both baits. If I had a bad thing to say about an Xrap it is that sometimes the eyes come off the baits. I have had this happen on 3 or 4 out of the probably 50 i own.

JR

[J_Zink]

IMO, those are really the same type of bait but meant for completely different times of the year.

LC pointers would be considered a finesse type of jerkbait when a very subtle presentation is required.  Normally if you're seeing the shad die off occurring in Feb - March (depending on where you're located) with water temps in the 40's - very low 50's, it's pointer time. Those baits really work well with the super slow retrieve: Cast out, jerk down to desired depth, stop, light a cigarette, drink some coffee, move bait a foot or so more, stop, drink more coffee, twiddle your thumbs, etc. etc.

OTOH, I find the Xrap works better with warmer temps, mid 50's - low 60's.  By nature that bait has a really erratic action that triggers strikes when it's worked quickly.  That's a little faster than most bass in colder temps are willing to go chasing after.

[MALTESE FALCON]

For me I catch more fish on the X-Raps, probably 10-1. I must not have the knack to fish the Pointer.

Falcon

[Jake.]

Personally, I have never done well with the X-raps. I have bought several and have tried numerous presentations, ect. I rank it at the top of my biggest dissapoints in lures.

On the other hand it is a total different story with the LC Pointer. I have caught tons of fish with this lure. It well worth the extra cash.

x2

[roadwarrior]

Both!

The X-Rap shines when bass (or trout) are very aggressive.

Rapala describes it as a "slash bait".

The Pointer series are all exceptional jerkbaits. I am particularly

fond of the 128, but the 100 is the best all around size.

8-)

[Tokyo Tony]

Like it's been said, the X-Rap is generally the more erratic bait of the two. However, you can fish an X-Rap as a more finesse-type jerkbait just by using very subtle, spaced-out twitches. I do that often in the early spring on a lake that's too shallow for a Pointer.

When the fish aren't aggressive, the Pointer absolutely outfishes the X-Rap. I can't remember too many times in cold water that I had fish follow a Pointer without striking it. However, I can think of many occasions in which this has happened with an X-Rap. I just think it has to do with the very realistic colors of the Pointer combined with a more realistic action. When you're fishing the bait slowly the fish is going to inspect the bait before deciding whether or not to strike.

People say that the X-Rap is better for super-aggressive fish, which doesn't really make sense if you think about it. If a fish is super-aggressive, does that mean it'll attack an X-Rap but not a Pointer? I don't think so. The X-Rap may have slightly more attracting power, but if you're using an aggressive retrieve I think the difference is negligible.

They're both good jerkbaits, but the edge definitely goes to the Pointer. If it isn't gonna kill you to spend $15 on a lure, it's definitely worth it. It does hurt when you lose them though. I've lost two in the past month, and each bait held a lot of sentimental value for me, not to mention the $.

[hawgchaser]

They are both good. I have caught more fish on the X Rap this year but I have also fished them more.

[The_Natural]

Unfortunately you have to own both to have a well-rounded arsenal of jerkbaits.  It's like saying which is better...a carbon fiber shafted Ping 5-iron, or an entry level titleist 9 iron.  Well...the Lucky Craft is obviously a higher quality bait, but both will excel at different times.  

[arul]

I have always been a fan of the Megabass Vision 110, which is even more expensive than the LC.  I fish the 110 in all kinds of conditions, with different techniques and it always produces.  I have tried the X-rap during the same time, with no luck.

I recently broke my 110 by smacking it on the back of my motor, not paying attention... :'( so I was forced to fish my X-rap for a week until I got a replacement, and it was brutal...  only 2-4 bites on it a day, when I know the 110 would have easily been double digits.

I have worked them both in a swimming pool and notice a big difference.  The X-rap just seems too pronounced in its movements and the shimmy is really wide, and it looks gaudy in the water.  The 110 is more subtle, but still flashy, and has a tight little shimmy, which I can work really slow and soft, or a crawling straight retrieve like, and still get it to work great.

Go with a 110 if you got $20...

[S I G M A]

Hmm... I guess I'll give the Pointer a try. I dunno if i'm ready to fork out the 20 bucks yet. If i do it'll probably end up sitting in my tacklebox for a long time before i get the courage to throw it...  :-/

[Aaron]

After reading this post I ordered a Pointer 100.  I never have really cared for jerkbaits but thought I would give it a try.  

Like  sigmapiotto said it may take a while to use it though b/c I do not want to lose it.

[S I G M A]

i'll probably start using it in small streams that i wade in... then if i snag it i can just walk up and pull it out

[djmax22]

You can sometimes pick up a Pointer at Cablas or Dicks on the cheap in their clearance section. I know I have picked up several Sammys and LC cranks for ~$10.

If you get a $10 off coupon from Dicks if you spend $50 that also helps. My local Dicks always has Rapalas 20% off.

[S I G M A]

I've seen them as well in the bin at cabelas... thats where i will be searching for them

[Tin]

I like them both but if I'm ripping one right under the surface for prespawn largies/smallies in super clear water I will take a Smithwick.

[Chad.]

Unfortunately you have to own both to have a well-rounded arsenal of jerkbaits.  It's like saying which is better...a carbon fiber shafted Ping 5-iron, or an entry level titleist 9 iron.  Well...the Lucky Craft is obviously a higher quality bait, but both will excel at different times.  

Carbon fiber would snap they use graphite for golf clubs enless you know something i dont j/k

[Branuss04]

I just started throwing x-raps this year and as far as my fish to weight ratio, this lure ranks among the top, right under the 8in hudd.

I have only caught a half dozen fish, but 4 have been over 5 and 2 right at 4.  I think it's a great lure for the price and this is another lure i have gained confidence in this year.

I believe the sequence of jerks and pauses determines success, it just depends on what the fish want.

[Steve H]

POINTER!!!!!!!!

[WTRDOG]

Hmm... I guess I'll give the Pointer a try. I dunno if i'm ready to fork out the 20 bucks yet. If i do it'll probably end up sitting in my tacklebox for a long time before i get the courage to throw it... :-/

Don't waste your money..Anyone who pays more than $10.00 for a lure has rocks in their head.The x-rap in olive green will catch fish anywhere in the country.

[bass wrangler569]

I have fished with both the pointer and the x-rap and I can honestly say that the pointer consistently outperforms the x-rap. I think the pointer is definitely worth the price.

[S I G M A]

Hmm... I guess I'll give the Pointer a try. I dunno if i'm ready to fork out the 20 bucks yet. If i do it'll probably end up sitting in my tacklebox for a long time before i get the courage to throw it... :-/

Don't waste your money..Anyone who pays more than $10.00 for a lure has rocks in their head.The x-rap in olive green will catch fish anywhere in the country.

ya... but i had that mentality when i was deciding whether to get my first st croix avid... but i can't say i have any regrets

[BassFishingMachine]

I like the pointer in the colder months. The Xrap on the other hand works best for me in the fall. I don't fish jerkbaits much at all, basiclly in the winter, and in the late fall, other then that I'm not a big jerkbait user.